The consequence of this address was, that on the ninth of January 1745, the king issued a proclamation, promising a reward of 1007. over and above all other rewards, for the apprehension of every person convicted of robbery or murder.

The annals of this and the following year exhibit a register of rebellion, desolation, and bloodshed. The French nation, ever the inborn enemies of Britain, and always jealous of the prosperity of such a formidable rival, had exerted every scheme to depreciate her finances, and to harrass her allies, by foreign war, and by every other disadvantage; conceived a plan of nearer and more dangerous import. Ever attached to the exiled family of Stuart, several prin cipal clans in Scotland, embraced all opportunities that chance might furnish towards reinstating that family on the throne: this, among other plans, suggested itself to the intriguing policy of the French cabinet, and a rebellion in Scotland was the measure adopted to disperse alarm through the British dominions, and divert the attention of the nation from counteracting the means now about to be used by the former to inslave the liberties of Europe. This proceeding, however, is not attributable to any innate affection to the Stuart family, or their adherents; but from a principal of involving mankind in confusion, that the abettors might more easily profit by the spoil; and this has certainly been the motive that has directed the French in every system of their political economy.

The reputed grandson of James II. called the Chevalier de St. George, having been pampered by the exaggerated accounts of the strength to be raised in Scotland, and encouraged by the promise of powerful succours from the French monarch, who also furnished him with money and arms, embarked on board a small frigate, accompanied by a few Irish and Scottish adventurers, and landed on the coast of Lochaber in Scotland, where they were soon joined by a considerable body of Highland clans under their respective chiefs. Having assembled about fifteen hundred men, the chevalier encamped in the neighbourhood of Fort William,

and immediately commenced hostilities. A detachment from his main body surprised two companies of new raised soldiers, who, after an obstinate dispute, were obliged to submit; but an officer of the king's forces having fallen into the hands of the rebels, was courteously dismissed with one of the Pretender's manifestos, and a passport for his personal safety.

King George at this time was on a visit to his German dominions; and, had the regency during his absence, acted vigorously upon the first intelligence of the Pretender's arrival, this effort of the young adventurer must have been instantly crushed; but the little regard that they paid to information, and the discredit they attached to the integrity of their informers, continued to lull them into a fatal security, of which they were soon convinced, when they saw the error irremediable.

The administration were now effectually alarmed. The lords of the regency issued a proclamation, offering a reward of 30,000l. to any person that should apprehend the eldest son of the Pretender; a courier was also dispatched by way of Holland to his majesty, requesting his hasty return, and he accordingly arrived in London about the latter end of August. A requisition was made of the six thousand Dutch auxiliaries; and several British regiments were recalled from the Netherlands.

On the 5th of September the lord mayor received a letter, in his majesty's name, from the Duke of Newcastle, informing him that one of the Pretender's sons had erected a standard in Scotland, and that a great number of people had assembled together in a rebellious manner. At the same time the duke recommended his lordship to use his utmost care and vigilance for the preservation of peace and quietness throughout his jurisdiction.

On the 10th of September the lord mayor, aldermen and common council, attended by the sheriffs, recorder, and all the city officers, waited on his majesty at Kensington, when the recorder, in their names, presented his majesty with a loyal

loyal address; which, among other expressions of duty and fidelity, concluded with the following testimony of their at tachment:

"The rash and daring attempts of the professed enemies of this nation, in favour of a popish and abjured Pretender, have filled the hearts of us, your loyal citizens, with the utmost abhorrence and detestation. And we beg leave to give your majesty the most solemn assurances, that we will be ready upon all occasions to sacrifice all that is dear and valuable to us, in defence of your majesty's royal person and family, and in support of our happy constitution both in church and state."

The next day the merchants of London went in a cavalcade of one hundred and forty coaches, and presented hismajesty with a most dutiful and loyal address on the same occasion. And so anxious were they for supporting the public credit, that above eleven hundred of the most considerable merchants, traders and proprietors of the public funds subscribed their names to the following agreeïnent:

"We, the undersigned merchants, and others, being sensible how necessary the preservation of public credit is at this time, do hereby declare, that we will not refuse to receive Bank notes in payment of any sum of money to be paid us; and we will use our utmost endeavours to make all our payments in the same manner."

In consequence of this resolution, the demands, which had been very considerable at the Bank a few days before for cash, began greatly to diminish. These hasty demands were said to have been occasioned with a design to hurt public credit as much as possible, and to obtain gold to send to the rebels; but, by the wisdom of the directors, who ordered all payments to be made in silver, this project was effectually frustrated.

All necessary precautions were now taken for the security of the kingdom. Orders were issued to keep the trained bands in readiness, and to array the militia of Westminster. Instructions to the same effect were also sent to all the lords lieutenants of the counties throughout the kingdom.

The

The most substantial citizens, especially young gentlemen of fortune, merchants and tradesmen, entered into different associations, learned the military exercise, and provided themselves with proper accoutrements and arms in defence of their king and country. The principal noblemen made tenders of their services to the king, and some of them received commissions to levy regiments for suppressing the

rebellion.

Among other bodies formed in London, at a meeting held in the Middle Temple Hall, an association was subscribed by several gentlemen of the law, who agreed to form themselves into a regiment, under the command of the lord chief justice Willes, to be denominated, "the Associated Regiment of the Law, for the defence of the royal family, and the preservation of the constitution in church and state." His majesty was so well pleased with this timely mark of their attachment, that the lord chief justice next day took his commission as colonel of the said regiment.

At a court of common council also, on the 3d of December, it was unanimously agreed to subscribe 10007. out of the chamber of London, towards the relief, support and encouragement of such soldiers as then were, or thereafter should be employed in his majesty's service, during the winter season, towards the suppressing of the then unnatural rebellion. The companies of Stationers, Coopers, Drapers, Goldsmiths, and other fraternities, paid several sums into the chamber of London, for the same purpose. The lord chief justice Lee, the master of the rolls, and the judges, subscribed 12007. on the same account. By these liberal contributions, the committee of the Guildhall subscription contracted for twelve thousand pair of breeches, twelve thousand shirts, ten thousand woollen caps, ten thousand pair of woollen stockings, one thousand blankets, twelve thousand pair of woollen gloves, and nine thousand pair of woollen spatterdashes, to be immediately provided for the use of the army.

So universal was the spirit of supporting the established government in opposition to the Popish Pretender, that

even

even the Quakers contributed their mite on the occasion. They raised a sum of money among their own people to purchase warm woollen waistcoats for the soldiers to wear under their uniforms while they kept the field in winter.

On the 7th of December another proclamation was issued for discovering, apprehending, and bringing to account, all Jesuits and Popish priests, who should be found after the 9th instant, in the cities of London and Westminster, the borough of Southwark, or within ten miles of the same, with a reward of 100l. to those who should discover or apprehend any such Jesuit or Popish priest.

The young Pretender, had now gained possession of the city of Edinburgh, and lodged himself in the aplace of Holy-rood House, whence he issued a manifesto in behalf of his father, who he proclaimed king of Great Britain. by the stile and title of James III. and declared himself regent during his father's absence; promising to dissolve the union, and to redress the grievances under which, he said, Scotland had suffered but these professions were only specious; he wished to seize the treasure of the kingdom; but in this he was disappointed, by the prudence and bravery of general Guest, who having conveyed the national property into the castle, defended it with a strong garrison.

It is needless to reiterate the successes of the rebels at Preston-pans, and their taking possession of Carlisle. The parliament met October 16th, when the king in his speech, relied on their affection and councils for the maintenance of public safety, the extinction of the rebellion, and the frustration of the designs of their foreign enemies. The parlia ment were unanimous in their attachment, the Habeas Corpus act was suspended, and several suspicious persons were taken into custody.

By this time his majesty's son, William, Duke of Cumberland, had arrived from the Netherlands, and was followed by a detachment of dragoons and infantry. The city trained bands were reviewed by the king, the volunteers throughout the kingdom were trained and exercised, the

County